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US 2013/0153365 A1Published application
Apparatus And Method For Rotatably Conveying And Applying Discrete Parts To A Substrate
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorAdam N. Schoultz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for conveying a plurality of parts to a substrate in a configuration which is offset from the centerline of the supply feed of discrete parts is disclosed as well as the related process. Such an apparatus and process are suitable for use in the production of products where one or more components of the product must be spatially shifted from their incoming location relative to the movement of the assembly line to a second position which is offset from its incoming location and orientation.
Claims17
An apparatus for conveying a plurality of parts and applying said parts to a substrate, the apparatus comprising:
- a rotation means defining a rotation axis, said rotation means having a first direction of rotation about said rotation axis such that said plurality of parts can be applied to said substrate;
- a plurality of transfer arms each having a longitudinal transfer arm axis, a proximal end and a distal end, said plurality of transfer arms being attached to said rotation means in a radial pattern about said rotation means each of said proximal ends of said transfer arms being attached to said rotation means in such a manner that said longitudinal transfer arm axis is offset from said rotation axis by a transfer arm offset distance;
- and
- a plurality of transfer pucks adapted to convey said parts to said substrate, each of said transfer pucks having a longitudinal puck axis and a lateral puck axis which intersect at a center point on each of said plurality of transfer pucks, said distal ends of said transfer arms being attached to said transfer pucks at a location which is offset from said center point by a transfer puck offset distance, each of said transfer pucks being configured to pivot about said longitudinal transfer arm axis so that each of said transfer pucks is pivotal between a first position wherein said transfer pucks are oriented to receive said parts and a second position wherein said transfer pucks are oriented to apply said parts to said substrate.
1 more element
An apparatus for conveying a plurality of parts and applying said parts to a substrate, the apparatus comprising:
- a rotation means;
- said apparatus defining a rotation axis;
- a plurality of transfer arms each having a longitudinal transfer arm axis, a proximal end and a distal end, said plurality of transfer arms being attached to said rotation means in a radial pattern about said rotation means each of said proximal ends of said transfer arms being attached to said rotation means in such a manner that said longitudinal transfer arm axis is offset from said rotation axis by a transfer arm offset distance;
- and
- a plurality of transfer pucks adapted to convey said parts to said substrate, each of said transfer pucks having a longitudinal puck axis and a lateral puck axis which intersect at a center point on each of said plurality of transfer pucks, said distal ends of said transfer arms being attached to said transfer pucks at a location which is offset from said center point by a transfer puck offset distance, each of said transfer pucks being configured to pivot between a first position wherein said transfer pucks are oriented to receive said parts and a second position wherein said transfer pucks are oriented to apply said parts to said substrate at said second position which is offset from said first position.
2 more elements
An apparatus for conveying a plurality of parts and applying said parts to a substrate, the apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of transfer arms each having a longitudinal transfer arm axis, a proximal end and a distal end, said plurality of transfer arms being attached to a rotation means in a radial pattern about said rotation means, said rotation means having a rotation axis;
- each of said proximal ends of said transfer arms being attached to said rotation means in such a manner that said longitudinal transfer arm axis is offset from said rotation axis by a transfer arm offset distance;
- and
- a plurality of transfer pucks adapted to convey said parts to said substrate, each of said transfer pucks having a longitudinal puck axis and a lateral puck axis which intersect at a center point on each of said plurality of transfer pucks, said distal ends of said transfer arms being attached to said transfer pucks at a location which is offset from said center point by a transfer puck offset distance, each of said transfer pucks being configured to pivot between a first position wherein said transfer pucks are oriented to receive said parts and a second position wherein said transfer pucks are oriented to apply said parts to said substrate at said second position which is offset from said first position.
1 more element
A method of applying a plurality parts to a moving substrate comprising:
- feeding a plurality of parts at a first position into a conveying and transfer process along a supply centerline;
- rotating said plurality of parts to a second position which is offset from said supply centerline;
- and
- depositing said plurality of parts in said second position onto said moving substrate.
1 more element
A method of applying a plurality parts to a moving substrate comprising:
- feeding a plurality of parts at a first position into a conveying and transfer process along a supply centerline;
- transferring said plurality of parts to a conveying and transfer apparatus;
- rotating said plurality of parts while attached to said conveying and transfer apparatus to a second position which is offset from said supply centerline;
- and
- depositing said plurality of parts in said second position onto said moving substrate.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.